U.S. patent number 5,118,176 [Application Number 07/657,149] was granted by the patent office on 1992-06-02 for shoe support apparatus.
Invention is credited to Raymond W. Motley, Sr..
United States Patent |
5,118,176 |
Motley, Sr. |
June 2, 1992 |
Shoe support apparatus
Abstract
An elongate, coaxially aligned housing rotatably mounted to a
carousel interiorly thereof, with the carousel including a
plurality of planar support plates angularly inclined relative to
each vertical wall of the carousel, with a window opening mounted
overlying and coextensive with an upper terminal edge of each
planar support for securing an upper portion of a shoe
therewithin.
Inventors: |
Motley, Sr.; Raymond W.
(Sumter, SC) |
Family
ID: |
24636031 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/657,149 |
Filed: |
February 19, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/305; 160/237;
211/163; 211/34; 312/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
7/08 (20130101); A47B 61/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
7/08 (20060101); A47B 61/00 (20060101); A47B
61/04 (20060101); A47B 049/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/305,267,297
;211/34,36,37,163 ;160/237,290.1,23.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dorner; Kenneth J.
Assistant Examiner: Green; Brian K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gilden; Leon
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A shoe support apparatus comprising,
an elongate cabinet, the cabinet including an entrance opening, a
door hingedly mounted to the cabinet, and the cabinet defining a
cavity, wherein the cavity includes a caroucel rotatably mounted
within the cavity and coaxially aligned with the cabinet, the
carousel including a plurality of side walls, wherein each of the
side walls includes a plurality of equally spaced inclined support
plates defining an obtuse angle between a top surface of each of
the support plates and a respective side wall, and each of the
support plates is arranged for mounting a shoe pair thereon,
and
wherein each of the support plates includes a respective upper
terminal edge and a lower terminal edge, wherein each respective
upper terminal edge and the lower terminal edge are arranged
parallel relative to one another, and a support window is located
above each of the support plates, wherein a support window lower
edge is formed by the support plate upper terminal edge, and a
radial plate mounted fixedly to the lower terminal edge of each of
the support plates to fixedly mount each of the lower terminal
edges relative to the respective side walls, and
wherein a support bracket is mounted above each window, and each
support bracket includes a roll of transparent covering web, each
covering web including a web forward terminal edge, and each of the
forward terminal edges mounting a first hook and loop fastener
thereto, and a second hook and loop fastener member mounted to the
radial plate for securement of the first hook and loop fastener to
the second hook and loop fastener member to overlie a respective
shoe pair mounted upon each of the support plates.
2. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the covering web
includes a plurality of parallel tubular ribs formed coextensively
through the covering web oriented orthogonally relative to the
covering web forward terminal edge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to shoe support apparatus, and more
particularly pertains to a new and improved shoe support apparatus
wherein the same provides an enclosed carousel structure rotatably
mounted within an elongate housing to provide access to one of a
plurality of shoes contained within each vertical wall of the
carousel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The storage and support of a plurality of shoe pairs presents an
obstacle in many households where limited space is available.
Various storage apparatus has been set forth in the prior art to
support such shoe structure, but frequently requires use of an
inordinate space within closets and the like. The instant invention
attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing a
self-enclosed transportable storage closet utilizing a carousel
contained within the storage closet structure to mount a plurality
of shoe pairs in a readily viewable and accessible manner. Examples
of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,367 to Stambaugh
wherein a shoe rack utilizes a wire-like framework to mount a
plurality of shoes thereon in a rotatable manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,714 to Busch provides a rotatable rack
utilizing a top planar storage surface for mounting of various
components thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,781 to Ryan sets forth a shelf structure for
fixed securement to a vertical wall for storage of various objects
thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,772 to Phillipson sets forth a carousel
structure utilizing a wire-like framework to mount various shoes
and the like thereon on hooks formed on the carousel.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need
for a new and improved shoe support apparatus as set forth by the
instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use
as well a effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the
present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of shoe support apparatus now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a shoe support apparatus wherein the same
provides for a transportable enclosure mounting a carousel
interiorly thereof, wherein the carousel is arranged for support of
a plurality of shoe pairs thereon, with optional coverings provided
for each of the shoe pairs. As such, the general purpose of the
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater
detail, is to provide a new and improved shoe support apparatus
which has all the advantages of the prior art shoe support
apparatus and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention provides an elongate,
coaxially aligned housing rotatably mounted to a carousel
interiorly thereof, with the carousel including a plurality of
planar support plates angularly inclined relative to each vertical
wall of the carousel, with a window opening mounted overlying and
coextensive with an upper terminal edge of each planar support for
securing an upper portion of a shoe therewithin.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but
rather in the particular combination of all of them herein
disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in
this particular combination of all of its structures for the
functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is
based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claim be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved shoe support apparatus which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved shoe support apparatus which is of a durable and
reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved shoe support apparatus which is susceptible of a low
cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and
which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such shoe support apparatus
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved shoe support apparatus which provides in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved shoe support apparatus wherein the same provides for a
selectively positionable cabinet member containing a carousel
therewithin to provide for a shoe support structure to maintain
shoes in a relatively clean environment free of debris.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein;
FIG. 1 orthographic side view of a prior art shoe support
apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic side view of the instant invention.
FIG. 3 an orthographic side view of the instant invention
illustrating the carousel in a rotated orientation relative to the
cavity of the cabinet.
FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of the carousel structure of
the instant invention. FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view of a
shoe support plate structure utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 6 an orthographic side view of a modified shoe support plate
structure utilized by the instant invention. FIG. 7 is an isometric
illustration of a modified covering web utilized the instant
invention. FIG. 8 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines
8--8 of FIG. 7 of the modified covering web as illustrated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to
8 thereof, a new and improved shoe support apparatus embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
FIG. 1 is illustrative of a prior art shoe support apparatus 1,
including spaced wire racks 2, including a forward circular
rod-like member 4 supporting a forward portion of an associated
shoe, and a rear rod-like member 3 supporting a rear portion of the
shoe.
More specifically, the shoe support apparatus 10 of the instant
invention essentially comprises an elongate, coaxially aligned
cabinet 11, including an entrance opening 13, with a door 12
hingedly mounted to the entrance opening 13 complementarily mounted
therewithin selectively enclosed of the entrance opening defining a
cavity 14 therewithin. Rotatably mounted within the cavity 14 and
coaxially aligned with the cabinet 11 is a carousel 15. The
carousel 15 includes an upper axle 17 and a lower axle 18 coaxially
aligned with the carousel, with the carousel mounting plural pairs
of shoes 16 upon planar, inclined support plates 23 (see FIGS. 4-6
for example) mounted in longitudinal alignment on each side wall of
the carousel, wherein the carousel is defined by a first, second,
third, and fourth side wall 19, 20, 21, and 22 respectively. The
side walls define a square parallelepiped configuration. Further,
the support plates 23 define an obtuse included angle between a top
surface of each support plate 23 and a respective side wall.
Further, the planar support plates 23 project radially outwardly
relative to the carousel 15 and are positioned with an upper
terminal edge of each support plate coextensively aligned relative
to an overlying support window 24. Reference to FIG. 5 exemplifies
the use of each support window 24, wherein a rear or heel portion
of an associated shoe is support within each support window and the
sole portion of each shoe mounted upon an associated support plate
23. Mere rotation of the carousel selectively presents, as desired,
each side wall for presentation of each aligned column of support
plates.
Reference to FIG. 6 illustrates a modified support plate structure,
wherein the support plate 23 includes a radial plate 29
orthogonally and fixedly mounted to each respective side wall and
fixedly and coextensively mounted to a lower terminal end of each
support plate 23 intersecting the support plate, as illustrated in
FIG. 6 for example. A support bracket 25 is positioned above each
associated support window, as exemplified by the organization as
set forth in FIG. 6 and merely duplicated by each support window
and support plate structure, wherein the support bracket 25
pivotally mounts a roll of transparent polymeric covering web 26 to
selectively overlie each shoe pair on an associated support plate
23 to further protect each shoe pair from dust, debris, and the
like. A forward terminal edge of the covering web 26 includes a
first hook and loop fastener member 27 mounted thereto and
securable to a second hook and loop fastener member 28 mounted to
the radial plate 29 to selectively secure and completely overlie a
respective shoe pair.
Reference to FIG. 7 illustrates a modified web structure 26a,
wherein the web structure includes tubular ribs 31 that extend
longitudinally of and coextensively of each web extending from the
forward terminal edge of each web, with each of the ribs arranged
parallel relative to one another to prevent the web 26a from
adhering to an associated shoe pair allowing air circulation
between the web and the shoe pair.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,
the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and
accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage
and operation of the instant invention shall be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as is illustrative only of
the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *